Communications: electrical – Condition responsive indicating system – Specific condition
Reexamination Certificate
2000-08-14
2001-12-11
Lee, Benjamin C. (Department: 2632)
Communications: electrical
Condition responsive indicating system
Specific condition
C340S870030, C340S870030, C705S005000, C705S006000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06329919
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally relates to a business method and more particularly, to an apparatus, method and system for providing reservations for restroom use.
BACKGROUND
The dangers of standing on an airplane while the airplane is in flight are well known. However, because of the shortage of restrooms on board, it is often necessary for passengers to stand for quite sometime in the aisles while queuing to use the restroom. Standing in the aisle of a moving aircraft creates safety hazard and inconveniences for both the passenger and other people on board. For example, a standing passenger may fall and injure himself or other passengers when the airplane encounters turbulence in the air. Likewise, a passenger may lose a great deal of his valuable time or miss a significant portion of an entertainment program because of waiting to use a restroom.
Similar safety concerns also exist with restroom uses on a passenger train or boat.
SUMMARY
A need therefore exists for an apparatus, system, and method for providing reservations for restroom use in places such as on an airplane, a passenger train or boat where safety concerns exist.
In one embodiment, the system provides reservations for restroom use on airplane which improves airline safety by minimizing the time passengers spent standing in the aisles. Passengers on an airplane may submit a reservation request for using the restroom. The reservation system processes the requests and assigns a reservation number for each request. The system then notifies the passenger when a restroom becomes available for his or her use.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5272474 (1993-12-01), Hill
patent: 5864818 (1999-01-01), Feldman
patent: 5948040 (1999-09-01), DeLormet et al.
patent: 5963948 (1999-10-01), Shilcrat
patent: 5978770 (1999-11-01), Waytena et al.
Boies Stephen J.
Dinkin Samuel
Moskowitz Paul Andrew
Yu Philip Shi-Lung
International Business Machines - Corporation
Lee Benjamin C.
Morgan & Finnegan L.L.P.
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